Lint cotton cleaner with by-pass



May 18, 1965 H. BROOKS 25,730

LINT COTTON CLEANER WITH BY-PASS Original Filed Feb. 3, 1960 5Sheets-Sheet 1 177 TOE/V271 May 18, 1965 E. H. BROOKS LINT COTTONCLEANER WITH BY-PASS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Feb. 3, 1960INVENTO/E ZVEf/Vf BRaa/(s 7AM f E. H. BROOKS LINT COTTON CLEANER WITHBYPASS 1 May 18, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Feb.

INVENTOR.

BIwa/(S May 18, 1965 E. H. BROOKS LINT COTTON CLEANER WITH BYPASSOriginal Filed Feb. 3. 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 MINVENTOR. il/iA/f A.gym/ms BY/ 027w? n zrs United States Patent 25,780 LINT COTTON CLEANERWITH BY-PASS Eugene H. Brooks, Sherman, Tex., assignor to ContinentalGin Company, Birmingham, Ala., a corporation of Delaware Original No.3,024,499, dated Mar. 13, 1962, Ser. No. 6,524, Feb. 3, 1960.Application for reissue Oct. 11, 1962, Ser. No. 230,798

14 Claims. (Cl. 19-203) Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears in theoriginal patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matterprinted in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

This invention relates to the cleaning of lint cotton and isparticularly concerned with' a structure wherein the lint cotton canselectively be passed through one or two cleaners. Still further, thepresent invention relates to an arrangement wherein double cleaning oflint cotton can be provided for in the extremely limited space that isusually available in existing ginning installations.

In the handling of cotton, most of the cotton that is ginned is cleanedprior to baling by passing it through a lint cleaner. Lint cleaners,which are well known, substantially improve the grade of the cotton bycombing and smoothing the lint, by blending spots of varying densitytogether, and particularly, by removing foreign matter such as dirt andleaf particles.

Cleaners of this nature have been successful and improve the grade ofthe cotton so much that there is a steadily increasing demand for doublecleaning arrangements so that the lint cotton is substantiallycompletely free of foreign matter and is particularly well blendedtogether. The provision of double lint cleaning, however, presents asevere problem in most existing gin installations on account of the lackof sufiicient space for the secondary cleaners and the ducts required toconvey the cotton to and from the secondary cleaners and the suctionmeans that must be applied to the condensers therefore.

Even when double cleaners are provided for the lint cotton, there aremany occasions when it is not necessary to run the lint cotton throughboth the cleaners. When the cotton is fairly clean, a single lintcleaner is sufficient to bring the cotton up to the grade desired and itis only the trashiest cotton that must be cleaned twice. It ispreferable for the lint cotton to be cleaned only a single time, if thisis suitable, because double cleaning is apt to overwork the lint cottonand this tends to shorten and nep the fiber and to cause extra waste bybreaking of the fibers and by the loss of the short fibers during thecleaning operation.

Accordingly, even when double lint cleaning structures are provided, itis most desirable to be able to bypass one of the cleaners and divertthe lint cotton from the first cleaner to the main lint flue. While, ingeneral, the double lint cleaning of cotton is known, as well as theby-passing of the second cleaner in a double lint cleaning arrangement,it has not heretofore been possible to install double lint cleaning inmost existing ginning installations on account of the lack of space.

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is the provisionof a novel double lint cotton cleaner structure which is adapted forbeing installed in the limited amount of space that is many timesavailable in ginning establishments.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a double lintcotton cleaner structure utilizing novel by pass valves which areadjustable for controlling the flow of the lint cotton through thedouble cleaner.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of anextremely compact double lint cotton cleaner Re. 25 ,780 Reissued May18, 1965 structure adapted not only for new installations, but for beingplaced in existing installations.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a doublelint cotton cleaner structure adapted for being used with a battery ofgins 'or with a single gin, the structure of the cleaner being such thatit needs merely be enlarged to accommodate more gins.

The foregoing objects of this invention as well as still otherobjectives and advantages thereof will become more apparent uponreference to the following specification taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view, somewhat diagrammatically drawn,illustrating one arrangement of a double lint cleaner in accordance withthe present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view drawn at somewhat larger scale showingthe doffing brush pertaining to the first lint cleaner and the by-passvalving associated therewith;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 but showing a slightly modifiedform of double cleaner in which the two cleaners are so arranged as tominimize the space required for their installation;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG- URE 3 but showinga modified arrangement of a cleaner according to the present invention;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the cleaner of FIGURE4 looking from one side;

FIGURE 6 is a similar side elevational view looking in from the oppositeside of the cleaner of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary view of a cleaner constructed generallyaccording to the modification of FIG- URES 4 thru 6 but somewhatmodified to provide for greater compactness;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view indicated by line 88 on FIGURE 4 showingthe manner in which vertical joints between side wall members of thecleaner are interconnected;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view indicated by line 99 on FIGURE 4 showingthe manner in which horizontal joints between side wall members of thecleaner are interconnected;

FIGURE 10 shows a vertical sectional view through a single lint cleanerprior to modification to make a double cleaner of it; and

FIGURE 11 shows the same lint cleaner in section with the separatedparts thereof in spaced relation and with the auxiliary housing meansportion to be added to the cleaner interposed therebetween.

Referring to the drawings somewhat more in detail, 10 indicates a fluecoming from a gin or from a battery of gins. The lint cotton is destinedeventually to be delivered to a lateral main flue 12 whichadvantageously runs beneath the floor level.

For those instances wherein both cleaners are to be by-passed there is abranch the 14 leading from flue 10 to fine 12 and the passage of lintcotton through the flue 14 is under the control of valves 16 and 18.Normally, the valves 16 and 18 are adjusted as illustrated in FIG- URE 1so that the fine 14 is closed 011, but opening of both of the valveswill permit all of the lint cotton in flue 10 to be delivered directlyto lateral flue 12.

Flue 10 normally communicates via duct 20 with the condenser chamber 22of a first lint cleaner and within which chamber there is a rotaryforaminous condenser cylinder 24, the interior of which is evacuated viaa duct 26 having a fan 28 therein. As is well known, the lint deliveredto the condensing chamber is airborne, and in order to obtain a compactbat of lint, which can be handled in cleaning instrumentalities, the airis withdrawn from the lint cotton through the foraminous cylinder 24.

The lint cotton collects on the surface of the cylinder 24 in a more orless air free condition and as the cylinder rotates in the direction ofthe arrow thereon, a pair of dofling rolls 30 remove the cotton andsupply it to a feeding station 32 consisting of a bar and a rotatingfeed roller which delivers the lint cotton at controlled speed to a sawcylinder 34, also rotating in the direction indicated by the arrowthereon.

The lint cotton which is picked up by the saw cylinder is whipped aboutthe cleaner bars 36 and is thus divested of most of the leaves and otherforeign matter entrained in the lint cotton. This foreign matter fallsdownwardly in the trash chamber 38 and may be conveyed from the trashchamber as by means of a conveyor mechanism 40 which may be a belt, asillustrated, or which may consist of a screw conveyor or the like.

The lint cotton on the saw cylinder is removed from the saw cylinderafter the lint cotton has been carried past the cleaner bars by thedofling brush 42 which rotates in the direction indicated by the arrowthereon and at a surface speed somewhat higher than the speed of the sawcylinder. This lint cotton is conveyed on the dofiing brush around toeither one of two ducts. A first duct 44 leads to a second cleaningmechanism similar to the first cleaning mechanism and a second duct 46leads to a duct 48 that connects with the lateral main lint flue 12previously referred to.

At the inlet end of duct 44 is a valve 50 of novel construction whichcan be moved from a first position where it closes otf the inlet end ofduct 44 to a second position where it opens the inlet end of duct 44while at the same time it serves as a windboard or cutoff to remove thelint cotton from the brush 42 and to direct it into the duct 44.

The valve 50 is illustrated at somewhat enlarged scale in FIGURE 2 andit will be seen that it is pivoted at 52 at an intermediate point sothat one end 54 thereof is so positioned when the valve is open, to actas a cutotf thus providing for complete removal of the lint cotton fromthe dofiing brush 42 and diversion thereof into the duct 44. When thevalve is closed it will be apparent that it offers no resistance tomovement of the lint cotton with the dofling brush around to the inletof the duct 46.

Lint cotton that is diverted into duct 44 is conveyed to a condenserchamber 56 which is the same as condenser chamber 22 and within chamber56 is the condenser cylinder 58 associated with which are dotting rolls60 that deliver the desired cotton to a feeding station 62 and then to asaw cylinder 64 which, as will be seen rotates in direction opposite tothe direction of rotation of saw cylinder 34. After the lint cotton onsaw cylinder 64 is carried past the cleaner bars 66 it is picked up bythe dofling brush 68 and conveyed to the inlet of a continuation of duct48, which has been referred to previously. The end of duct 48 adjacentto dotfing brush 68, is provided with a cutoff member 70 to assist indivesting dofling brush 68 of the lint cotton thereon.

When valve 50, referred to above, is in its closed position, the lintcotton on dofling brush 42 will pass around with the brush to the inletend of duct 46. The inlet end of duct 46 is provided with a valve 72which is substantially identical in structure to valve 50. Valve 72, aswill be seen in FIGURE 2 is also pivoted at an intermediate point 74 sothat when the valve is opened the short end 76 of the valve acts as acut olf to assist in divesting the doffing brush 42 of lint cotton andto divert the lint cotton thus removed from the dofling brush into duct46. The lower end of the duct 46 is provided with a valve 77 which isclosed when valve 72 is closed. These valves may be interconnected forsimultaneous operation, if so desired, and, further, valve 50 may alsobe connected with valves 72 and 77 so that the valves can all be movedbetween their two operative positions at one time.

The second cleaner in the FIGURE 1 arrangement is preferably providedwith its own duct 78 connected with the interior of condenser cylinder58 and its own fan 80 so that when the second cleaner is not used thefan can be halted, thus representing a conservation of power.

In the FIGURE 1 arrangement, the first cleaner, with the exception ofthe feed duct 20 is rotated 180 from the position it usually occupieswhen only a single cleaner is employed. The extreme compactness of thepresent invention is partly obtained by turning this first cleaner tothe position illustrated in FIGURE 1 while the second cleaner is left inits normal position. This leads to an arrangement so compact that itadapts itself well to existing installations thus permitting double lintcleaning to be provided on existing gins where otherwise there would notbe suflicient space.

A somewhat modified arrangement is illustrated in FIGURE 3 wherein thereis a first cleaner indicated generally at and a second cleaner generallyindicated at 92. These cleaners are arranged and cooperate in the samemanner as described in connection with the first modification but itwill be noted that the dotfing brush chamber 94 of FIGURE 3 is in asomewhat diflerent position than the dofling brush chamber in FIGURE 1and is actually somewhat nested within the second cleaner therebyleading to even greater economy of space and permitting installation ofthe double gin arrangement in even less space than the structure inFIGURE 1.

The FIGURE 3 structure also employs a single exhaust duct 96 forremoving air from both of the condenser cylinders.

The branch leading from the exhaust duct 96 to the condenser cylinder ofthe second cleaner could be provided with a cutoff valve if so desiredso that when only one cleaner was in operation, namely, the firstcleaner, the second cleaner could be rendered completely idle.

In FIGURES 4 thru 7 there are shown arrangements whereby existing singlecleaners can be modified to provide for double cleaning.

In FIGURES 4, 5, and 6 there is shown one modification wherein theincoming flue is indicated at 100. This flue is adapted forcommunicating with a flue 102 leading to condenser cylinder 104 of thefirst cleaning stage or with a flue 106 leading to the main flue 108under the floor.

Valve 110 is adjustable for selectively connecting flue 100 with eitherflues 102 or 106. The condenser cylinder 104 supplies the lint cotton tothe saw cylinder 112 of the first cleaning stage in a conventionalmanner.

This saw cylinder is a portion of the original single cleaner modifiedaccording to this invention.

The saw cylinder delivers clean cotton to a dofling brush 114 from whichthe cotton is transferred to a second condenser drum 116. This condenserdrum delivers the lint cotton to a second saw cylinder 118 from whichthe cleaned cotton is removed by a second dofling brush 120 and which isthe dofling brush forming a part of the original single cleaner.

From dofling brush 120 the doubly cleaned lint cotton passes through ashort flue 122 to the upper end of flue 106 and thence to main flue 108.

When only single cleaning of the cotton is desired a short by-pass flue124 is availed of by opening valve 126 at the upper end thereof and alsoopening valve 128 at the lower end thereof. When these valves are openthe cotton, which has been cleaned once, passes from condenser cylinder116 down flue 124 and then around the upper left-hand position of thedofling brush 120 to flue 122 thus by-passing the second cleaning stage.

When the cotton is thus by-passed, valve 130 in exhaust flue 132 isclosed or else the fan connected with that flue is halted so that thecotton does not cling to condenser cylinder 116.

The structure of FIGURE 4 [as] is arrived at by modifying a singlecleaner by inserting therein in an auxiliary housing means, the devicesfor accomplishing the second cleaningv The particular manner in which asingle cleaner can be modified in this manner will be ap- .5 parent uponreference to FIGURES 4 through 6, and 11.

FIGURE 10 shows in cross section a single lint cleaner of the type thatis to be modified according to the mod fication of FIGURES 4 through 6to provide for double lint cleaning.

The housing of the cleaner is separated along the line 111, 113, 115 sothat one portion of the separated cleaner contains the condensercylinder and the feed rolls pertaining thereto and the saw cylinder 112while the dofling brush 120 is contained in the other portion of thecleaner. In FIGURE 11 it will be seen that these portions are separatedso that the side wall portionat 134 pertaining to the condenser cylinderand saw cylinder is separated from the side wall portion 136 pertainingto the dofling brush 120. The last mentioned side wall portion isattached to a base portion 138 that includes the supporting legs 140.

After the aforementioned parts of the original cleaner are separtedthere can be inserted into the space between the separated portions aunit consisting of an auxiliary housing means containing theinstrumentalities necessary for accomplishing the second cleaning. Thisauxiliary housing means comprises a first side wall portion 142pertaining to doffing brush 114 the function of which replaces thefunction of the original dofiing brush 120. Also included in thisportion is the condenser cylinder 116 and the feed rolls and otherdevices pertaining thereto which operate to remove the lint cotton fromthe condenser cylinder 116 and to deliver it to the saw cylinder 118.

The saw cylinder 118 is contained between another pair of side Wallportions 144 forming a part of the auxiliary housing means and dependingfrom these side wall portions are the duct means 146 providing the chutefor trash that is removed from the cotton as it passes about the sawcylinder 118. Another added side wall portion 148 and a correspondingback wall portion complete the auxiliary housing means and extend up tothe bottom side of the side wall portions 134 pertaining to the originalportion of the cleaner for receiving trash from the saw cylinder 112.

On account of the somewhat different angle of inclination of the backedges of the side wall portions 148, a short back wall portion 149 isprovided for connection of the trash chute 146 to the lower edge of theback wall portion extending between side wall portion 144.

It will be evident from FIGURES 10 and 11 that the side wall portions ofthe auxiliary housing means that are to be inserted between the originalseparated portions of the single lint cleaner are so arranged as to mateexactly with the surfaces 111, 113, and 115 which are marked in FIGURE11 and which correspond to the line 111, 113, and 115 of FIGURE 10 wherethe original side wall portions of the single lint cleaner areseparated.

The side wall portions, of course, include the side panels of both sidesof the cleaner and the various rotating devices of the cleaner aresupported between these walls or these panels, together with the variousdividing walls and stationary parts, and the side panels also supportthe bearings for the shafts on which the rolls, drums, and cylinders aremounted.

Since the original side walls or side panels of the single lint cleanerand the side walls or panels of the auxiliary housing means addedthereto are arranged in coplanar alignment, any suitable manner ofinterconnecting the panels at their adjoining edges can be employed. Onesuch arrangement is illustrated in FIGURE 8 wherein side portion 144 isconnected to side wall portion 148 by a bar or strip 150 welded to onethereof and bolted to the other by bolt means 153.

In other cases, particularly where there is vertical loading to sustain,a connection according to FIGURE 9 may be employed. In this figure, thelower edge of side wall portion 134 carries an angle 154 aflixed theretoand the upper edge of the side wall portion 148 of the auxiliary housingmeans therebeneath carries an angle 156 afiixed thereto. Bolt means 158bolt the angles together in load transmitting relation. A connection ofthis nature is. preferred for the horizontal joints whereas theconnection of FIGURE 8 is suitable for the interconnection of verticaljoints.

Contained between the auxiliary housing means side walls 142 containingthe doffing brush 114 and the condenser cylinder 116 is the duct 124 andthe valves 126 and 128 pertaining thereto. There is also added a shortduct section 119 adapted, when the cleaner is assembled, to communicatewith duct 124. This duct section is added by connecting it to top wall117 by forming an opening in the wall portion 117 which, as will be seenin FIGURE 10, is a continuous member in a single lint cleaner.

It will be seen that the present invention provides an arrangementwhereby a substantially single or unit lint cleaner can be modified toconvert it into a structure for selective single or double cleaning ofthe cotton.

In the modification of FIGURE 7 a cleaner substantially identical withthe modification of FIGURES 4 through 6 is illustrated and the samenumerals where they apply to the same parts are employed with theaddition of a subscript a. In FIGURE 7, however, the condenser cylinder116a rotates in a clockwise direction rather than in a counterclockwisedirection so that when the second cleaning stage is to be by-passed anauxiliary by-pass chute extending about the periphery of cylinder 116acan be availed of by opening the upper valve 152 therein and the lowervalve 154. The upper valve 152 it will be noted acts as a windboard toassist in stripping the lint cotton for doffing brush 114a.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the present inventionprovides means for the single or double cleaning of lint cotton and withan unusually compact and easily regulated and controlled structure. Oneof the features of the present invention resides in the valvesassociated with the doffing brush of the first cleaner and which valvesare not only duct controlling valves but also serve as windboards orcutoffs to assist in divesting the dofiing brush of its lint cotton atthe entrances of the proper ducts, either the one leading to the secondcleaner, or the one which delivers the lint cotton to the lateral mainline flue 12.

The arrangement of the present invention is relatively inexpensive andwill permit the advantages of double lint cotton cleaning to be obtainedin establishments where this cannot now be had on account of the spacerequirements.

In every case where the lint cotton moves from one position to another,except where the lint cotton is carried on a condenser cylinder, (1 sawcylinder, or a dofiing brush, the lint cotton. is air borne and iscarried by and with the air from a region of higher pressure to a regionof lower pressure.

At various predetermined places about the casing of the device, openingsare provided for admitting air to establish the streams of air whichwill move from a higher pressure region to a lower pressure region andthus accomplish the aforementioned conveying of the lint cotton.

This manner of conveying lint cotton is what is usually employed indevices of the nature disclosed.

It will be understood that this invention is susceptible to modificationin order to adapt it to difierent usages and conditions; and,accordingly, it is desired to comprehend such modifications with thisinvention as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an arrangement for cleaning fibers such as lint cotton; a firstcleaner having a dofiing brush for the discharge of the fiber cleaned inthe first cleaner, a flue for receiving cleaned fiber, a second cleanerhaving an inlet, ducts leading from spaced points about the periphery ofsaid dofling brush to said flue and to the inlet of said second cleaner,respectively, and a valve at the brush end of each of said duct, eachvalve being movable between duct open and duct closed positions and eachvalve in its duct open position having an edge disposed closely adjacentthe periphery of the said brush so as to serve as a cut-off to removefiber therefrom.

2. In an arrangement for cleaning fibers such as lint cotton; a firstcleaner having a dotting brush for the discharge of the fiber cleaned inthe first cleaner, a flue for receiving cleaned fiber, a second cleanerhaving an inlet, ducts leading from spaced points about theperiphery ofsaid dofiing brush to said flue and to the inlet of said second cleaner,respectively, and a valve at the brush end of each said duct, each valvebeing pivoted to its pertaining'duct on an axis closer to one edge ofthe valve than to the other edge thereof and being movable between ductopen and duct closed positions and each valve being pivotally mounted atone side of its pertaining duct at a point along the valve spaced fromone end, said point being so located on the valve that when the valve isopen the longer portion thereof is disposed in the duct and the shorterportion thereof is disposed adjacent the periphery of said brush so asto operate as a cut-off to remove the fibers from the brush and directthem into the duct.

3. In an arrangement for the selective double cleaning of lint cotton;first and second cleaners, each said cleaner having an inlet and anoutlet, a first fine for incoming dirty lint cotton and a second fluefor outgoing clean lint cotton, and ducts between said fiues andcleaners for conveying the lint cotton through the first cleaner only orthrough both cleaners in succession, said first cleaner having a doflingbrush for the discharge of lint cotton therefrom, said ducts includingducts leading from spaced points about the periphery of said brush tothe inlet of said second cleaner and to said second flue, a flat valveplate at the brush end of each of said last mentioned ducts, each valveplate being pivoted to its duct at the side thereof toward which thebrush is moving, and the pivot for each valve plate being locatedinwardly from one side of the valve plate to provide for a long side anda short side, each valve plate in one position closing its duct and inanother position having its long side located in the duct and the edgeof its short side located adjacent the periphery of the brush to directthe lint cotton therefrom into the duct.

4. In an arrangement for the selective double cleaning of lint cotton; afirst cleaner having a dofling brush for the discharge of lint cottontherefrom, a housing enclosing the brush, a second cleaner having aninlet, a first duct leading from one point on the housing to the inletof the second cleaner, a second duct leading from a point on the housingspaced from said one point to a discharge flue, a fiat valve plate atthe brush end of each duct, each valve plate being pivoted to the sideof its duct toward which the brush is moving and inwardly from one sideof the valve plate to provide the valve plate with a short side and along side on respectively opposite sides of the pivot axis therefor sothat in one position the long side of the valve plate closes the ductand in another position the long side of the valve plate opens the ductwhile the short side thereof closes the space between the housing andthe periphery of the brush.

5. In a lint cotton cleaner; a dofiing brush for discharging lint cottonfrom the cleaner, a housing surrounding the dofiing brush, an opening inthe Wall of the housing, and a flat valve plate pivoted to one side ofthe opening on an axis inwardly from one side of the valve plate, saidvalve plate having one position where it closes said opening and forms apart of the housing so the brush will carry lint cotton past theopening, said valve plate having a second position where the opening isopen, said axis being so located that in its second position the valveplate extends to the periphery of the brush and serves as a cut off todirect lint cotton therefrom into said opening.

8 6. In a lint cotton cleaner, a housing having side walls, cleaninginstrumentalities supported by said side walls 'making up a single lintcleaner, said side Walls being divided so the housing consists of firstand second portions each containing some of said instrumentalities, saidportions being adapted for being placed in spaced relation, an auxiliaryhousing means adapted for being inserted in the space between the firstand second portions when so spaced, said auxiliary housing means havingside walls adapted for connection with the side Walls of the said firstand second portions, said auxiliary housing means containinginstrumentalities cooperating with the said instrumentali-ties in thefirst and second portions to make up two serially connected cleaners,and a by-pass duct having control valve means adjustable for selectivelyby passing one of said serially connected cleaners.

7. In a lint cotton cleaner; a housing having side walls, said sidewalls being divided so the housing consists of first and secondportions, the said first portion of the housing containing a condenserdrum, a saw cylinder, and feed means for delivering lint cotton from thecondenser drum to the saw cylinder, said second portion containing adoffing brush for removing the lint cotton from the saw cylinder, saidfirst and second housing portions being adapted for being placed inspaced relation so said dofiing brush is remote from the saw cylinder,and auxiliary housing means adapted for being inserted between the saidfirst and second housing portions when so spaced, said auxiliary housingmeans having side walls adapted for being connected with the side wallsof the said first and second portions, said auxiliary housing meanshaving therein a doffing brush positioned to cooperate with the sawcylinder of the said first housing portion, a condenser drum forreceiving lint cotton from the last mentioned dofling brush, a sawcylinder and feed means to deliver the lint cotton from the lastmentioned condenser drum to the saw cylinder, and the saw cylinder inthe auxiliary housing means being positioned in operative relation withthe dofiing brush in the said second housing portion thereby making uptwo lint cleaners serially connected, and said auxiliary housing meanshaving therein a by-pass duct having valve means selectively adjustablefor by-passmg one of said serially connected cleaners.

8. In a llnt cotton cleaner; a housing having side walls, said sidewalls being divided so the housing consists of first and secondportions, the said first portion of the housing containing a condenserdrum, a saw cylinder, and feed means for delivering lint cotton from thecondenser drum to the saw cylinder, said second portion containing adofling brush for removing the lint cotton from the saw cylinder, saidfirst and second housing portions being adapted for being placed inspaced relation so said dofiing brush is remote from the saw cylinder,and auxiliary housing means adapted for being inserted between the saidfirst and second housing portions when so spaced, said auxiliary housingmeans having side walls adapted for being connected with the side wallsof the said first and second portions, said auxiliary housing meanshaving therein a dofling brush positioned to cooperate with the sawcylinder of the said first housing portion, a condenser drum forreceiving lint cotton from the last mentioned dofiing brush, a sawcylinder and feed means to deliver the lint cotton from the lastmentioned condenser drum to the saw cylinder, and the saw cylinder inthe auxiliary housing means being positioned in operative relation withthe dofiing brush in the said second housing portion thereby making uptwo lint cleaners serially connected, and said auxiliary housing meanshaving therein a by-pass duct having valve means selectively adjustablefor by-passing one of said serially connected cleaners, the side wallsof said first and second housing portions being connected along verticaland horizontal lines, the side walls of said housing means also havingvertical and horizontal portions adapted for being joined to thevertical and horizon- 9 tal portions of the side walls of the first andsecond housing portions.

9. In a lint cotton cleaner; a housing having side walls, said sidewalls 'being divided so the housing consists of first and secondportions, the said first portion of the housing containing a condenserdrum, a saw cylinder, and feed means for delivering lint cotton from thecondenser drum to the saw cylinder, said second portion containing adotting brush for removing the lint cotton from the saw cylinder, saidfirst and second housing portions being adapted for being placed inspaced relation so said dotfing brush is remote from the saw cylinder,and auxiliary housing means adapted for being inserted between the saidfirst and second housing portions when so spaced, said auxiliary housingmeans having side walls adapted for being connected with the side wallsof the said first and second portions, said auxiliary housing meanshaving therein a doffing brush positioned to cooperate with the sawcylinder of the said first housing portion, a condenser drum forreceiving lint cotton from the last mentioned dofiing brush, a sawcylinder and feed means to deliver the lint cotton from the lastmentioned condenser drum to the saw cylinder, and the saw cylinder inthe auxiliary housing means being positioned in operative relation withthe doffing brush in the said second housing portion thereby making uptwo lint cleaners serially connected, and said auxiliary housing meanshaving therein a by-pass duct having valve means selectively adjustablefor by-passing one of said serially connected cleaners, the side wall ofsaid first and second housing portions being connected along verticaland horizontal lines, the side walls of said housing means also havingvertical and horizontal portions adapted for being joined to thevertical and horizontal portions of the side walls of the first andsecond housing portions, and at least the horizontal joints between theside walls of said first and second portions and said housing meansbeing effected by members rigidly attached to said side walls andinterconnected so as to transmit loads therebetween.

10. By-pass for a two stage lint cleaner comprising; first and secondcleaning stages each having a condenser cylinder and air exhaust meansfor attracting air borne lint thereto and rotatably mounted dofing brushconstructed and arranged to receive lint from said condenser cylinder,first duct means adapted to receive lint from the dofiing brush of saidfirst stage, lint discharge duct means adapted to receive the lint fromthe dofling brush of said second stage, said first duct means also beingadapted to transfer lint to said second stage for additional cleaningand to transfer lint to said discharge duct means, and selectivelyoperable valve means cooperable with said first duct means and having afirst position for transferring said lint from the said dofiing brushsaid first cleaning stage to said discharge duct means and said valvemeans also having a second position for transferring the lint from thedoffing brush of said first stage to said second cleaning stage, thepertaining air exhaust means of said second cleaning stage beinginoperative when said valve means are in said fir t operative position.

11. A by-pass for a two stage lint cleaner comprising; first and secondcleaning stages each having a condenser cylinder and air exhaust meansfor attracting air borne lint thereto and a rotatably mounted dofiingbrush constructed and arranged to receive lint from said condensercylinder, the dofiing brush of the first stage and the condensercylinder of the second stage being partially surrounded by a commonhousing, lint discharge duct means adapted to receive the lint from thedofiing brush of said second stage and comprising a housing portionpartially enveloping said dofiing brush of said second cleaning stage,by-pass duct means adapted to carry lint directly from said commonhousing to said lint discharge duct means, said common housing beingadapted to transfer lint to said second stage for additional cleaningand to transfer lint to said by-pass duct means, and selectivelyoperable valve means coop- 10 erable with said by-pass duct means andsaid common housing and having a first position for transferring saidlint from said first cleaning stage to said discharge duct means in thearea of said housing portion, said valve means also having a secondposition for transferring the lint from said first stage to said secondcleaning stage, and

' valve means associated with the air exhaust means of said secondcleaning stage to close off the air exhaust means to the pertainingcondenser cylinder thereby permitting the lint to travel thereover andthrough said by-pass duct means to said lint discharge duct in the areaof said housing portion.

12. A lint cleaner for fibers such as cotton fibers comprising; firstand second cleaning stages each having a condenser drum, a saw cylinder,feed means for deliv'ering lint cotton from the condenser drum to thesaw cylinder and rotatably mounted dofiiing means to remove the lintcotton from said saw cylinder, air exhaust means connected with eachsaid condenser drum for attracting air borne lint thereto, a lint supplyduct adapted to deliver lint to said first cleaning stage, first ductmeans adapted to receive the lint from the dofling means of said firstclean:- ing stage, lint discharge duct means adapted to receive the lintfrom the dofiing means of said second stage, said first duct means alsobeing adapted to transfer lint to said second stage for additionalcleaning and to transfer lint to said discharge" duct means, selectivelyoperable valve means cooperable with said first duct means and having afirst position for transferring said lint from the said dofiing means ofsaid first cleaning stage to said discharge duct means and said valvemeans also having a second position for transferring the lint from thedofiing means of said first, stage to said second cleaning stage, saidair exhaust means of said second cleaning stage being inoperative whensaid valve means are in said first position.

13. A lint cleaner for fibers such as cotton comprising; first andsecond cleaning stages each having a condenser drum, a saw cylinder,means for delivering lint cotton from the condenser drum to the sawcylinder and rotatably mounted doffing means for removing the lintcotton from the saw cylinder, said condenser drums of said cleaningstages having axes being in spaced parallel relationship and lying in anapproximate horizontal plane, said doffing means for said first stagebeing mounted slightly below and between said condenser durms, airexhaust means connected with each said condenser drum for attracting airborne lint thereto, a lint supply duct adapted to deliver lint to saidfirst cleaning stage, first duct means adapted to receive the lint fromthe doffing means of said first cleaning stage, lint discharge ductmeans adapted to receive the line from the dofiing means of said secondstage, said first duct means also being adapted to transfer lint to saidsecond stage for additional cleaning and to transfer lint to saiddischarge duct means, selectively operable valve means cooperable withsaid first duct means and having a first position for transferring saidlint from the said dofling means of said first cleaning stage to saiddischarge duct means and said valve means also having a second positionfor transferring the lint from the dofi'ing means of said first stage tosaid second cleaning stage, said air exhaust means of said secondcleaning stage being inoperative when said valve means are in said firstposition.

14. A lint cleaner for fibers such as cotton comprising; first andsecond cleaning stages each having a condenser drum, a saw cylinder,means for delivering lint cotton from the condenser drum to the sawcylinder and rotatably mounted dofiing means for removing the lintcotton from the saw cylinder, said saw cylinder of said first cleaningstage and condenser drum of said second cleaning stage having axes beingin spaced parallel relationship and lying in an approximate horizontalplane, said doffing means for said first stage having an axis lying inthe same plane as said axes and mounted therebetween, said first stagedofiing means and said second stage condenser drum being partiallysurrounded by a common housing, air exhails! means connected with eachsaid condenser drum for attracting airborne lint thereto, lint dischargeduct means adaptedto receive the lint from the do/jing means of saidsecond stage and comprising a housing portion partially enveloping saiddofiing means of said second cleaning stage, by-pass' duct means adaptedto carry lint directly from said common housing to said lint dischargeduct means, said common housing being adapted to transfer lint to saidsecond stage for additional cleaning or to transfer lint to said by-passductmeans, and selectively operable valve means cooperable with saidby-pass duct means and said common housing and having a first position'for transferring said lint from said first cleaning stage to saiddischarge duct means in the area of said housing portion,,said. valvemeans also having a second position for transferring the lint from saidfirst stage to said second cleaning stage, and valve means associatedwith the air exhaust means of said second cleaning stageto close 01? theair exhaust means to the pertaining condenser cylinder therebypermitting the lint to travel thereover and through said by-pass ductmeans to said lint discharge duct in the area of said housing portionReferences Cited by the Examiner The following references, cited by theExaminer, are' of record in the patented file of this patent or theoriginal patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,538,244 5/25 Hopkins 19 205 X 1,614,624 1/27-Medders 19 3s 1,630,638 5 27 'Streun 19--36 1,714,953 5/29 Hancock 19381,721,932 7/29 Stre ln 19 37 2,898,636 8/59 Wallace 19 37 'DONALD W.PARKER, Primary Examiner.

